It’s here! The big day. The day that you get to choose the white, gorgeous, detailed dress to walk down the aisle and marry the one you will spend the rest of your life with. Choosing this once in a lifetime dress can be tricky, exciting, difficult, and a memory you will forever hold on to. The memories you make on this day will be passed on to family, friends, and daughters of your own. This is your chance, your opportunity to choose the dress you have dreamed of. It will be the focal point of the entire night, captured by all wedding guests and forever displayed in your home. Shore Thing Weddings is here for you to help prep you in your journey to find the most perfect, gorgeous dress that suits your personality, style, and venue. Below are ways to assist you on choosing your perfect wedding dress and to make your shopping experience an absolute breeze.
Short on time? Visit the quick tips on choosing your Perfect Wedding Dress on the bottom of the post.
Choose Dresses that Capture your Attention
Wait, put those keys down. Before you head to the Bridal Shop, do some pre-wedding dress shopping. Searching online and looking at magazines to discover the styles of dresses that capture your attention and you absolutely love can save lots of time at the Bridal Shop. Make a board on Pinterest, print out pictures you find online, and bring them with you on your wedding dress shopping adventure. Going into a Bridal Shop without the prep work can be confusing. The dresses are different shades of white and all hanging together. The Bridal Specialists have seen all the dresses, know where they are located, and can help you tremendously when you show them the style you are aiming towards.
Get Engaged – Get Shopping
Is this real life? Did your other half finally ask? Your other half asked you to spend the rest of your life together, and of course, you said, “YES!!!” Soon after getting engaged, its important to get shopping. Wedding dresses can’t be ordered and delivered with a standard shipping of a week, or expedited shipping and delivered in two business days. Depending on how long you plan on being engaged, depends on when you should order your dress. Keep in mind, an average wedding dress takes approximately four to eight months to be delivered to the store. Some Bridal Shops have veils stocked while others can take months to arrive once ordered. Typically, after the dress has been delivered it will need to go alterations and is recommended two months in advance. This leaves time for two fittings. One initial alteration, and another alteration if needed.
Choose the Wedding Dress Budget
Wait, there’s a budget for the wedding dress? Wedding dresses are quite expensive and run anywhere from $500 to $10,000+. Before you run into the Bridal Shop and try on the most beautiful dress you have ever seen in your entire life, fall in love with it, realize it costs $8,000, and your Father will have a mild heart attack, figure out the wedding dress budget. Figure who and how you will be pay for it. Is your Father going to pay for half and your future Mother in Law going to cover the rest? Are you going to dip into your savings account or sell those diamond earrings you haven’t worn since you were in middle school? Figure out the budget and stay clear from dresses over the budget. Remember to include the costs of alterations, accessories, and a veil in this budget.
Choose the Bridal Shops
Can I just go to all the Bridal Shops? There are tons of Bridal Shops and choosing which one to go to is important in the process of finding the perfect dress. Read reviews of these shops, look at the price ranges the dresses start, and browse through their dresses online, if the option is available. Some Bridal Shop dresses start at $500 while others may start at $2,000. Some shops might carry a particular brand of dress you want while others may not. Some may have excellent customer service where others may lack in that area. Not all Bridal Shops carry plus sizes, so make sure to call ahead once you find one you want to visit. Do your research, choose the one that fits the criteria, you will be happy you did.
Consider Pre-owned
Don’t skip over this so quick. Pre-owned wedding dresses can be a budget friendly and smart way to go. Think about how expensive dresses are and how brides typically wear their wedding dress for an average of 6 hours and then never again. There are literally hundreds of thousands of millions of billions of dresses for sale that have been worn and are currently sitting in a closet, in a bag, and waiting for the next time they will be worn. You just might be able to get the Berta Dress you dreamed of. You can find stunning designer dresses for much less. Consider it. Take a look. You just might find exactly what you’re looking for while saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars. You may even have extra money for that photo booth or extra florals.
Schedule an Early Weekday Appointment
Hi, I need to make an appointment for Monday at 10am. The best time to schedule an appointment is on the weekdays and early in the morning. Most people are at home sipping coffee, at work, at Yoga, or anywhere but at the Bridal Shops. At early morning appointments, the Bridal Specialists are fresh and ready to assist you in finding your dream dress. As the day progresses and unwanted situations occur, these specialists are ready for closing. Is it 9pm yet? Bridal Shops are busy on the weekends, as there is far more time for the Bride’s friends and family to be there. Plus, your dream dress could be in Dressing Room 3 instead of patiently waiting on a hanger for your discovery. If an early weekday appointment is something you are able to do, do it. You will receive the time and attention you deserve.
Choose Appropriate Underclothing
That’s a little too lacy for this fitting. The Bridal Specialists will be in the dressing room with you to assist on getting this gorgeous, beaded, highly detailed dress that laces 42 times in the back before it comes to a bow. You need their help, trust me. Wear panties that you don’t mind them getting glimpses of and ditch the hot pink sports bra that’s perfect for Boot Camp Class. You want to wear a bra that’s nude and strapless so that you can get a perfect visual of what the dress will actually look like on your special day.
Choose a Silhouette that Accentuates your Beautiful Figure
Oh girl, look at those curves. Wedding dresses come in various silhouettes, all of which are very stunning. Dress silhouettes come in Ballgown, A-Line, Modified A-Line, Trumpet, Mermaid, Sheath, Tea-Length, and Mini. If you are petite, a Ballgown may over whelm your tiny figure while a Sheath dress may accentuate you. Mermaid Style is beautiful for slim and hourglass figures who want to flaunt their curves and mini is best for banana shapes. Skip choosing a dress just because its popular or looks great on your favorite celebrity. Choose the silhouette that works the best with your body.
Love the Entire Dress
From the bottom, to the top, to the left, to the right. You should love every inch of your dress. The top of the dress will make an appearance in every picture, so make sure it’s one you truly love. Choose one that is comfortable whether you are standing, sitting, dancing, etc. Don’t settle for a dress because the bottom beaded detail is beautiful, and the neckline is just alright. We promise, if you keep looking you will find one that is perfect for you in every way.
Choose the Style of your Venue
Book my Fairy Table Wedding in the Castle for September 8th. Choosing a dress that works well with the overall style of the wedding is important to consider. If you plan on having a wedding at the Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina, a Ballgown Dress would be absolutely perfect. While getting married on a beach in Bradenton, Florida, a ballgown dress may not be the best choice, nor will it go with the overall style of the wedding. Think about your venue and the style you are going with when picking your dress. Does it fit in well or would another dress be better suitable?
Try on Unique Styles
I would never wear that! Maybe you love the Trumpet Style Dress and you refuse to try on any other style than the Trumpet Style Dress. Expand your options. Try on different silhouettes, necklines, fabrics, etc. If you don’t love it, it can come off faster than you even got it on. You never know, you just might fall in love with a different style and order a dress you never even knew you loved or look so fabulous in. It’s definitely worth a try.
Skip Over Budget Dresses
I’ll try on the Berta Beaded Lace Dress first – $10,230. Falling in love with a dress that’s way over budget can be a real disappointment, especially when you know there is no way you will be walking down the aisle in that dress. We recommend choosing only dresses that are in or close to the budget. This way, every dress after the Berta Beaded Lace Dress will not seem like a disappointment. Starting with the least expensive and working your way up to the most expensive is a great way to go.
It’s Just a Number
You are gorgeous, fabulous, and that’s just a number. There are numerous brands of dresses. Every brand runs a little bit smaller or larger than the other. Don’t focus on the size, it’s just a number on a tag that can be removed. No one will ever know what size dress you are wearing. What matters most is how the dress looks and how you feel in it. Think about the jeans in your closet and all the different styles and sizes that are in there. All of them fit you, yet all of them are not the same size. Choose the size of the dress that fits best on your body, not the one that has the number you want printed on the tag.
Order the Larger Dress
I’ll have one size up, please! It’s always better to order your dress one size up rather than one size down. If you plan on being a few pounds lighter for your big day, we recommend ordering a dress that fits you at the current time. Altering a dress that’s tight at the seams with a stretched-out zipper is far more complicated. It’s a great feeling to know you don’t have to worry about the fitment of your dress prior to your big day. Plus, who wants to eat lettuce and carrots to ensure the dress fits?
Choose the Ones that Matter
You’re my favorite! Brides often think they must bring a whole slew of family and friends with them to shop for their dress. Before you know it, you’ll have 15 different opinions on which dress you should pick. Their preferences will be different on silhouettes, styles, fabrics, and necklines. This can make the shopping experience more complicated and confusing. Mom loves the Sheath dress and sister loves the Ballgown. We believe you should take a few family/friends with you whose opinion matters the most. Keep in mind, your own opinion and how you feel in the dress is the most important. It’s your day.
Choose a Confidence Booster
Dang, I look good. Choose the dress that makes you smile, happy, and confident. You are beautiful. Confidence is beautiful. You must be confident in the way you look and feel in your dress. If your Mother loves a dress you try on, and you just aren’t feeling it, don’t settle for it to ensure that she is happy with the dress choice. Its your dress, your special day, choose the dress that you love and will bring out the most confidence.
Choose a Dress that Suits your Style and Personality
That’s so me! Choose a dress that suits your style and personality. If you are an assertive person, choose a dress that goes along with your confident personality. If you are free-spirited, abandon the traditional white Trumpet style dress and select the two-piece Blush Wedding Dress that goes along with living a life just the way you like it. If you are a dramatic person, choose the ballgown that will be sure to capture the attention of all guests. Think about your style and personality, the way you dress, the way you present yourself. Just because it’s your wedding day, doesn’t mean you should look or be a certain way. Be who you are, that’s the way everyone loves you.
Capture the Dress on Camera
One, Two, Three, Cheese! Mirrors are made from different materials, so the way you look in each one will also be different. Some mirrors are magic and some add unpleasant displays. To get a more accurate display of you in the dress, it’s best to take a picture. Have your Bridal Shopping Crew take a picture of you in the dress in different poses. This way, you will get a more precise picture of what you will look like on your wedding day. Don’t forget to delete the pictures off your phone afterwards so that your Fiancé doesn’t accidentally come across it.
Take your Time
I have all day and the next day too. Bridal Shops typically schedule appointments in an hour and a half time increments. So, you get that entire time to choose the dresses, try it on, check it out, change to the next one, check it out, etc. Depending on the time and day, it may seem like you are being rushed and must quickly find your dress. Take your time and as much as you need. If you need to schedule another appointment on a different day or simply want to try on a couple more dresses before you 100% say, “yes!” allow yourself the time to do so. If you don’t find one you truly love, don’t settle for it. It’s okay to not find your dream dress on the first day at the first Bridal Shop you visit.
Fall in Love with the Dress
This is the One – Choose the dress that you fall in love with. The one you don’t want to take off. The one you keep starring at and can’t believe how beautiful, confident, and happy you feel in this dress. When you put it on and look in the mirror, you will know. It’s one of the most amazing feelings and you won’t be able to stop smiling.
Choose where to Store the Dress
Now, where do I store it? After you found your perfect dress, purchased it, waited many months for its arrival, its finally here. You can finally pick up your perfect wedding dress. If you and your Fiancé live together or even if you do not, it’s best to store the dress with a trustworthy family member or friend. With the dress in the closet, it may be tempting for your Fiancé to take a quick look, or even tempting for you to put it on, dance around the house, take some selfies, and then get an early arrival home from your fiancé. Keep it in a safe storage place and out of sight.
Quick Tips on Choosing your Perfect Wedding Dress
- Do pre-wedding dress shopping online
- Start wedding dress shopping soon after getting engaged
- Determine the wedding dress budget beforehand
- Choose the Bridal Shops that fit your wedding dress criteria
- Consider purchasing preowned wedding dresses and save money
- Schedule early weekday appointments to avoid busy, crowded shops
- Choose strapless, nude color underclothing for trying on dresses
- Choose the silhouette that looks best on your body type
- Love the entire dress from the bottom to the top
- Choose a dress that works well with the overall style of wedding
- Be open to trying on unique styles
- Skip trying on dresses that are way over budget
- Choose the best fitting dress rather than the size on the tag
- Choose the larger size dress over a smaller size
- Choose the people to shop with whose opinions matter most
- Choose a dress that makes you feel confident
- Choose a dress that suits your style and personality
- Capture the dress on camera while dress shopping
- Take your time – Don’t be pressured to quickly choose
- Fall in love with the dress
- Choose a safe place to store the dress
Xoxo,
Your Shore Thing Team